OUCH!

[lbpesq]

“Modified” Further.   

https://reverb.com/item/95627198-alembic-further-2002-natural


Bill, tgo

[garyhead]

Amazes me. What kind of butcher takes to an Alembic and installs inferior electronics?  If you want a PRS guitar…..then buy one!  $11k for a butchered Alembic. YMMV IMHO FFS.

[lbpesq]

It reminds of about 35 years ago, the Oakland A’s had a player named Jose Canseco.  (Some described him as a billion dollar body with a 5¢ head).   Anyway, he famously spent $70K on a Jaguar, then spent another $25K adding a spoiler, airdamn, fender flares, lights on the underside, etc., to make it look like a Camaro.

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

It reminds of about 35 years ago, the Oakland A’s had a player named Jose Canseco.  (Some described him as a billion dollar body with a 5¢ head).   Anyway, he famously spent $70K on a Jaguar, then spent another $25K adding a spoiler, airdamn, fender flares, lights on the underside, etc., to make it look like a Camaro.

Bill, tgo

Which reminds me, I cracked my sons up back then; one of them asked me if i thought he was good, and I told he was so good they wouldn't start a game without asking him if there was enough light.
"Huh?"  they queried.
Sings Dad "♪ José, can you see?♫"
Yeah, that was their reaction too.......

Peter (who is here all week; tip your waitress)

[flavofive]

I'll be the guy to post a potentially-unpopular opinion, and just say "Hey, cool, it's the '73-75 Wolf!  Nice!"
If someone's going for Jerry authenticity, this seems like an ~OK deal compared to, say, trying to buy a new Scarlet Fire Wolf.  Maybe still a little bit high on asking price.

... But why, WHY, WOULD THEY NOT KEEP THE ORIGINAL PICKUPS??!?      Seems unbelievably stupid, or at least shortsighted. 

[lbpesq]

I can sort of understand changing the PUs and electronics, especially if the owner was a heavy metal/hard rock type of player.   Alembic PUs/electronics aren’t the best for distorted crunch guitar, and are notoriously unforgiving when it comes to exposing sloppy technique.   Of course one wonders why such a player would buy an Alembic in the first place.  What I have trouble understanding is drilling a bunch of holes and covering up that gorgeous top with a plastic plate.  I would have crafted two single coil mounting plates to fit in the two humbucker-shaped mounting routs without drilling new holes through the top or covering up any of that gorgeous Quilted Maple.  If looking like Jerry is that important, put down the drill, and put on a black T-shirt!

Bill, tgo

[jalevinemd]

I'm going to take the unpopular side for a moment as my band plays mostly classic rock covers. I LOVE my Alembics. A lot of the attraction for me is the aesthetic. That's what drew me to them in the first place. They are absolutely BEAUTIFUL instruments. The necks are also perfect for me...so playability is amazing. But the electronics aren't for everyone. As Bill has mentioned, they don't do very well with a lot of OD/Distortion pedals. It took me a lot of trial and error to find the right ones that worked well with my Alembics. Early on, I made the mistake of asking Mica and Susan if they would build me a guitar with DiMarzio Super II's, like Jerry had in Tiger. I've always loved those pickups. Obviously that didn't happen. And I understand why Alembic wouldn't entertain that request. But I also COMPLETELY understand why someone would buy an Alembic and replace the electronics. That way you can have the best of both worlds...depending on what your world is. And let's not forget that more than 99.99% of guitar recordings are done with those so called "inferior electronics."

[edwardofhuncote]

I think I object more to the way it was modified than just that it was. I'm much less of a player, and talkin' as just the guy who has to plug a lotta' ill-advised screw holes...

It really could be worse... that is still a beautiful guitar. I'd pitch that plastic, make a decorative brass plate to cover, and live with it.


*FWIW, somebody bought it.

[cozmik_cowboy]

Hey, Jonathon!  Long time no see.

Peter

[jalevinemd]

Hey, Jonathon!  Long time no see.

Peter

Hey, Peter! Yeah...it's been a minute. Hahahaha!

[mica]

Once it's your guitar, you can do anything you want with it.

[jalevinemd]

Once it's your guitar, you can do anything you want with it.

Hahahahaha! I love that!!!!

[jazzyvee]

I guess as long as the seller is honest about the guitar not having the original guts, then the buyer is not being scammed or mislead.

Once it's your guitar, you can do anything you want with it.

What you say is correct, however i wonder, on a personal level, Mica is there any hint of sadness when you see something like that on one of your team's creations?

[cozmik_cowboy]

I guess as long as the seller is honest about the guitar not having the original guts, then the buyer is not being scammed or mislead.

Once it's your guitar, you can do anything you want with it.

What you say is correct, however i wonder, on a personal level, Mica is there any hint of sadness when you see something like that on one of your team's creations?

I remember that when Mission Control resurfaced, Rick Turner had some disparaging words for the guy had chopped it up.

Peter

[mica]

What you say is correct, however i wonder, on a personal level, Mica is there any hint of sadness when you see something like that on one of your team's creations?

It depends. If something is done without skill/care, it can be a little sad. I find that most actual modifications are done with at least some care. The ones that truly puzzle me are repairs, especially electronics ones, where they do things like cut the wires off right by the connector.

Many modifications are later reversed, so we often get to "mod the mod" if the next owner doesn't share the modder's view.

I also keep in mind that we did exactly the same thing before we started building. And some of the results were less than pretty. Like one of Jack Casady's Guild basses. He wanted the electronics in there so fast we didn't have time to do woodworking, so the electronics were mounted in magnesium extrusions. Definitely not a pretty outcome.